The Vote: A Personal Matter

THE distinction could not have been more clear-cut: a young Northern
liberal pitted against a middle-aged Southern conservative. Yet in the
Senate leadership contest between Ted Kennedy and Russell Long, a
number of members marked their secret ballots not on the basis of
ideology or regional interest, but according to their personal
ambitions, alliances, or animosities. Some notable deviations from the
customary bloc pattern:

For Long

> Clinton Anderson of New Mexico, a liberal on most issues, nominated
Long. Anderson sits on the Senate Finance Committee, which handles tax
legislation and is chaired by Long. At 73, Anderson had little to gain
by...